Stanford Network for Advancement and Promotion

Participants in each cohort of the Stanford Network for Advancement and Promotion (SNAP) program work closely together to enhance leadership skills and build a community of support from which they can rely on as they grow and advance within the Stanford community. SNAP focuses on low-structure, high-impact discussion sessions in which participants discuss common challenges they face in the realm of academic medicine, like advancement, workplace dynamics, and negotiation, and field effective strategies from fellow group members under the guidance of an experienced facilitator.

 

Program Goals

SNAP participants will gain:

  • Leadership development
  • Targeted solutions to specific workplace challenges they face
  • A network of support that lasts beyond program membership

Program Structure

  • The primary goals of SNAP are to develop skills that lead to targeted solutions to workplace challenges and to create a community of leaders at Stanford who may call on one another for support as they grow in their leadership roles. Each SNAP cohort is a 10-month commitment, with 2-hour meetings held once per month in the morning. An end of year reception occurs at the end of each cohort to celebrate each member's leadership development and the formation of a new peer network.
  • SNAP meetings follow a Business Case Format, in which cohort members present a leadership challenge to the group and receive targeted feedback under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. Participants are expected to provide updates on their challenges and discuss the suggested strategies that proved most effective in problem-solving to benefit the overall group learning experience. In addition, cohort members are called upon to support one another beyond the structured monthly meetings.

Cohort Selection

  • SNAP cohort membership is highly-selective. Individuals are chosen by Stanford University School of Medicine leadership based on their leadership potential and community involvement. SNAP participants engage in open dialogue with their cohorts to explore how leaders with different leadership styles, across different departments, and across genders find commonalities to expand personal growth.
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SNAP Cohort Testimonials

“I think this is an important component for faculty development. It has also changed the way I engage women residents and fellows. I am much more inspired to sit them down earlier on in their career and guide them. I ask them much more often how things are going and if they are taking advantage of resources to advance their training and careers.
“I feel much more empowered by the support I have to help medical students, residents, and fellows and give them hope and guidance.
“The experience has pushed me to frame challenges differently and to be focused and intentional with strategic planning

 


“A safe, supportive and challenging environment is needed to cultivate future women leaders. This program provides all three.

SNAP's Creation: Addressing Isolation, Empowering New Leaders, and Building Community

SNAP was designed by Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) alumna Odette Harris, MD, MPH. Understanding the interplay between leadership endeavors and isolation, especially for groups that are underrepresented in leadership positions, Odette designed a program that focuses on enhancing skills and decreasing isolation in future faculty leaders that is focused in scope to Stanford-specific opportunities.

Contact OFDD

For more information on the Stanford Network for Advancement and Promotion program: